C-section - what to expect?

[Lilli]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and I've just been told I need to have a c-section at about 39wks bse my baby is breech and its bottom is "firmly entrenched". I was wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what to expect - how painful is it? What pain relief is given? how will having a c-section affect my ability to breastfeed? Will my ability to have more than two children be affected? What are the odds of being able to have a vaginal birth for the next baby? Sorry - lots of questions but any advice is appreciated.

[krisp]

Dear Lilli, I had a CS with my DS 16 months ago and whilst it did hurt afterwards it wasn't too bad. I had vey heavy mecunium staining when my water broke, my DS was posterior and he flexed his head so after 14 hours of trying to get the birth I wanted I was exhausted, he was getting distressed, heart rate fluctuating etc and the Dr said "no more, we need to get this baby out!"
I had a general anesthetic though as the spinal block didn't work so mine wasn't typical.

It won't affect your ability to breast feed but the initial few are a bit tricky to get a comfy spot as you can't really just jump out of bed and sit down. The nurse in hospital suggested i lay the baby on the bed and kind of hover over him which was excrutiating so don't try that option! The best way I found was in the chair with pillows under my boy.

I'm due to have my little girl in November and am planning to try for a vaginal birth this time and luckily have a very supportive OB who says there is no reason I won't have success this time. Once a CS always a CS is generally not the rule anymore and if your OB won't support a future VBAC perhaps seek another opinion.


So having said all that the CS isn't great but not too bad. Little things like pegging out the washing and carrying full baskets of wet clothes are a problem but my Mum stayed with us and did that kind of stuff when my DH went back to work. He would also get up with me and lift my boy from his cot and give him to me for BF (yes every 2 hours overnight!) so that helped alot. Not being able to drive for 6 weeks is a pain too but having a delicious little miracle to focus on makes it all worth it.

The scar is below your bikini line so probs there and it heals really fast, just be careful and try to take a bit of extra care of yourself for a few weeks. Don't even think about vaccuuming and washing floors (let someone else do that for you), be gentle on yourself and you'll be fine.
Good luck, don't be scared you'll do just fine.

[monnie]

Hey Lilli

I was asking about c-sections awhile ago...here's the fantastic responses I got...

C-section experiences (elective)

Wishing you all the very best...I find out on Friday whether I'm having a c-section or not...

Take care!

[Beach Mama]

Hi there firstly congrats on meeting your bub so soon!
I had a c/s 8 weeks ago so will give you my answers.

* how painful is it? i didnt find the op painful at all - the recovery is slow and long and I agree - you need to take it easy as possible so you can recover quickly
* What pain relief is given? I was given quite a few different pain killers in the first 2 days which was good as i was up and about the next day without having to worry about being in too much pain. At home i just took pnadol when needed.
* how will having a c-section affect my ability to breastfeed? i was lucky enough to have baby, DH and a midwife with me in recovery and i had skin to skin contact and breast fed in the first hour after her birth - ask you carers if this is possible! Also be prepared for your milk to possibly be a little slower to come in - mine took 5 days, others take 2 - its best to be ready for it!
lWill my ability to have more than two children be affected? nope! it shouldnt unless you have some other complication or pre-exisiting condition
What are the odds of being able to have a vaginal birth for the next baby? Very possible hun - lots of info out there about vbac's and obs that support it - I want a water birth for 2#!!

HtH and the best bit is because you cant do housework etc. you have so much time to bond and spend time with your little one! Thats the upside I guess and i think its well worth it!! Good luck!

[ZigZag]

Hi Lilli.

I had a c/section after a failed induction. I had it under an epidural so was awake for her delivery. I found the epidural frightening as I hadn't really wanted it but wanted to be awake for the delivery. The delivery itself wasn't painful and I didn't really feel much to be honest. They said I'd feel lots of tugging and pulling but I didn't really feel anything.

For whatever reason I wasn't allowed to touch Hailey until she was washed up and wrapped up in a blanket. Even then I got her for about 1 minute and then was wheeled off to recovery whilst hubbie went with Hailey back to the delivery suite. I didn't leave recovery for 40 minutes so you might want to be prepared for that. If I had to have c/section second time around, I would enquire or make it clear to the OB how I wanted to 'receive' my baby as it comes out (I've heard of mother's now being allowed to assist in pulling them out - not that I think I would do that), but at least be able to hold them for longer than a minute and not necessarily be all wrapped up. I know surgery is a whole different kettle of fish, but I have heard of cases in a c/section where the mums have been allowed to cuddle their naked baby and put them to the breast which I would love to have done. It was all a bit of a shock to have a baby and then have her taken away & not see her for close to an hour after she was delivered. It's just something you don't think will happen because I'd wrongly assumed it would be different.

I got staples instead of stitches and I was told that you heal much faster with staples. I don't know how true this is but I certainly healed within 2weeks and was back to reasonable normality within this time. I might've been one of the lucky ones but only had to take one panadeine fort tablet so had next to no pain but I think this varies greatly for every woman.

I didn't have any issues with breastfeeding.

Another thing you might like to ask or check-out is whether you have a skin condition called Keloids. It is when you have bad reaction to scaring. I didn't know I had it and as a result I have a very thick and horrible looking scar. It had nothing to do with the way the doctor did it as I'd been told by a number of nurses that he'd done a great job and was one of the finest cuts they'd seen. Apparently if the doctors know you have it, they can either do the cut differently or give you stuff for recovery - I'm not sure what it is they do but I was told to tell the doctors for any further surgery I might have.

I think the odds of you having a vaginal birth for subsequent babies are greatly in the hands of your OB/hospital you choose. Their seem to be some strongly in favour of doing a c/section & some that are happy for you to try a VBAC. Provided everything is ok in the pregnancy, I would like to try for a VBAC for our second. I know a couple of people that have had a VBAC without out any issues. At the same time, you need to be informed and make the decision for yourself.

Overall I didn't find the experience bad or frightening but obviously wasn't quite what I'd desired. I got a healthy bub and I'm more informed for next time.

[becmc]

Hi, I am having a home vbac in august and have to say that your chances of a natural birth after a c/s (barring any complications) are as good as anyone, IMO even better chance if you are informed!
I didn't have a great recovery but have heard that an elective c/s without the labouring first generally has a better recovery.
I posted a response to Monnie's question which is in the link, but have to say that you are the customer and if you want to hold your baby immediately then tell them that is what you will be doing, no questions asked! Obviously again it is barring any medical emergencies for either of you, but really I see no good reason for taking a newborn away from their mother. I have a birth plan for this bub incase of c/s, and in it I am stating that I am to hold the baby immediately and that my hubby and bub are coming to recovery with me.
Just something to think about!!
Good luck with everything!

[BellyBelly]

There is an article on the main site about this here: https://www.bellybelly.com.au/birth/...tually-happens

[Berry]

My c-section was cruisy and easy compared to my long natural birth experience. Was offered varying levels of pain relief and I think I went for Panadeine Forte as one of the other options was making me feel nauseous. On about day 3 I let the pain relief wear off and found the pain felt like a big sore bruise, so went straight back onto pain relief as it was uncomfortable but not excruciating pain. It felt ok by the time I came home after about one week.

I am having an elective c-section for my third birth (first was vaginal; second was emergency c-section), and the ob was equally happy for me to try vaginal again but I wanted a caesarian. I have heard various things re how many c-sections you can have, but I believe that by the third c-section the scar is a little more stretched and can become less safe. However I have recently met somebody who has had 6 caesarians!

I just went to a c-section ante-natal class and the midwife said that it takes longer for your milk to come in after a c-section, but this doesn't affect baby's adaptation to breastfeeding and just means they have colostrum there a little longer until the milk starts flowing properly.

[Lilli]

Thank you very much for all your advice! I have also gone to the links you recommended and they were very useful.

[C~Q]

Very quickly, just to let you know. My first birth was vaginal birth, second C-Sec as she was breech and third was a VBAC so it is possible (and infact easy for me) esp as the reason you are having a CSec this time is because she/he is breech as was mine.

Good luck

BTW the whole Csec thing was fine so don't worry.